ZHAW involved in digitisation initiative
Digitisation is fundamentally changing society. In order to keep pace with this rapid change and to play a leading role at a national and international level, the Canton of Zurich has launched a joint digitisation initiative (Digitalisierungsinitiative, DIZH) in cooperation with a number of universities in Zurich. Over the next ten years, the Canton of Zurich will support the initiative with a framework credit.
Digital transformation is both a challenge and a great opportunity for Zurich as a research hub, since universities play a central role in digitisation by training future-oriented specialists and by contributing to finding solutions for digital challenges with their research. In the Canton of Zurich, the opportunities presented by digitisation must be actively shaped and used collectively.
Universities in Zurich launch joint digitisation initiative
The Canton of Zurich has launched the joint digitisation initiative (Digitalisierungsinitiative der Zürcher Hochschulen, DIZH) in cooperation with Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), and Zurich University of Teacher Education (PHZH). This initiative aims to strengthen the canton’s competitiveness as a research and development centre in national and international competition and to support the economy and society in seizing the opportunities created by digitisation. The DIZH also allows universities to use synergies, which can generate new impulses.
The Government Council of the Canton of Zurich has requested the Cantonal Parliament to approve a framework credit of CHF 108.3 million for the years 2020 to 2029 in order to implement the DIZH. In addition, the universities are contributing a total of CHF 191.7 million from their own resources, and the ZHAW further wants to support the initiative by providing «DIZH Fellows», highly qualified researchers who contribute their expertise in order to actively shape digital transformation.
To promote digital transformation within the university, the ZHAW also launched the strategic initiative «ZHAW digital» at the beginning of the year.
